Ernestown Secondary Students Spread Musical Joy to Local Schools

High school concert band and leadership class tour inspires next generation of musicians

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The concert band from Ernestown Secondary School in Odessa recently completed a two-day tour, performing at four local primary schools in Loyalist Township. The 14-member band was joined by the school's senior leadership students, known as the Impact Class, who led interactive games and activities to engage the younger audiences. The tour aimed to spread holiday cheer and inspire the next generation of musicians to consider joining their school's music program.

Why it matters

The tour highlights the importance of music education and community outreach in smaller school districts. By bringing their talented student musicians to perform at local elementary schools, Ernestown Secondary is fostering a love of music and encouraging younger students to pick up an instrument. This type of school-to-school connection can have a lasting impact on a student's educational experience and artistic development.

The details

The Ernestown Secondary concert band, led by music teacher and band director Andy Seguire, meets every Wednesday evening rather than right after school to create a more community-oriented feel. During their two-day tour in December, the band performed upbeat holiday music and interactive activities at Amherstview, Fairfield, Bath, and Odessa public schools. The school's senior leadership students, known as the Impact Class, joined the band to further engage the younger audiences through humor and by getting teachers involved in playing instruments like cowbells.

  • The concert band tour took place on December 4 and 5, 2026.
  • Ernestown Secondary's concert band meets every Wednesday evening.

The players

Andy Seguire

The music teacher and band director at Ernestown Secondary School who led the concert band on their tour.

Sara Hamilton

The vice-principal of Ernestown Secondary School who praised the tour as a wonderful example of student leadership, community outreach, and the arts thriving together.

Becky Cairns

A grade 10 student and alto saxophone player in the Ernestown Secondary concert band who found the tour went smoothly as the band members worked together.

Anna Walhout

A grade 11 student and flautist in the Ernestown Secondary concert band who found the experience of performing for the younger students rewarding.

Ernestown Secondary School

A high school in Odessa, New York that has a thriving music program, including a concert band that toured local elementary schools.

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What they’re saying

“It was like a variety show. Our senior leadership class would interact with the kids, using humour. They'd get the teachers up playing cowbells, so funny.”

— Sara Hamilton, Vice-principal (kingstonthisweek.com)

“The goal is twofold: to spread some holiday cheer but also to say, 'Hey, check out this program. You can do this, too.'”

— Andy Seguire, Music teacher and band director (kingstonthisweek.com)

“Back then it was just — sit down and listen and don't make a sound — for an hour. Do nothing and leave. That was it. It was really boring.”

— Becky Cairns, Grade 10 student (kingstonthisweek.com)

“It's great to see how far we've come in our pieces and to be able to perform them for the kids in a way that keeps them engaged.”

— Anna Walhout, Grade 11 student (kingstonthisweek.com)

What’s next

Ernestown Secondary School is considering organizing a spring tour for their concert band to continue inspiring the next generation of musicians.

The takeaway

Ernestown Secondary's concert band tour demonstrates the powerful impact that music education and community outreach can have, even in smaller school districts. By bringing their talented student musicians to perform at local elementary schools, the high school is fostering a love of music and encouraging younger students to get involved in their own school's music programs.